Breast saver comfort

ABSTRACT

A chest band for use for comfort and breast stabilization from lateral gravitational breast shifting while the user lays in the right or left lateral position comprising a stretchable and adaptable body strip disposed to encircle the body, and first and second sections of the length of the body strip wherein the first section further comprises a semi-cylindrical component of a sponge-like material at one end and a nap material patch on its outer surface with a cylindrical side placed over the sternum, between the breast and wherein the second section comprises a means for connecting an end of the body strip together in the form of a loop to encircle a user&#39;s body and wherein the chest band further comprises at least one fenestration[s] to enable[s] breast exposure. 
     The object of this invention is to provide a comfort band which is constructed from a combination of stretch woven materials with a semi-cylindrical shaped bolster centrally placed over the sternum and wrapped under the arms around the chest with a band and preferably secured with a hook and loop fastener type fastener thereby preventing lateral breast shifting when the patient is in the side-laying position. The stretchable band or garment of the invention comprises a relatively wide body strip which accommodates breast coverage or exposure achieved with a Fenestrated band.

This application claims priority from Provisional application Ser. No.60/160,230, filed Oct. 18, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to an underclothes garment, and moreparticularly to a garment used in the medical field to ease and preventlateral gravitational breast shifting while the user is in theside-lying position.

In the past a traditional brassiere has been used to support the breastwhile in the upright position but does not provide adequate lateralsupport for the side-lying position. The brassier usually has metal orplastic parts which when used while sleeping or extended periods of bedrest produces pressure points and skin irritation. It is not worn as a“traditional” undergarment or serve the same function of strapped breastsupport while standing in an upright position.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is to provide a comfort band which isconstructed from a combination of stretch woven materials with asemi-cylindrical shaped bolster centrally placed over the sternum andwrapped under the arms around the chest with a band and preferablysecured with a VELCRO™ (or similar hook and loop fastener) type fastenerthereby preventing lateral breast shifting when the patient is in theside-laying position. The stretchable and adaptable band or garment ofthe invention comprises of a relatively wide body strip whichaccommodates breast coverage or exposure achieved with a Fenestratedband.

This invention is directed to the medical field as well as women'spersonal care. A more specific object of this invention is to provide abreast comfort band that will ease the discomfort of lateral breastshifting which occurs in the side lying position and caused by breastengorgement such as in mastitis, post partum engorgement, breastimplants and anatomically heavy and large size of breast. In addition,it will absorb perspiration and prevent skin breakdown/deteriorationcaused by perspiration and prolonged direct skin contact such as seen inhospitalized geriatric patients. Immobile geriatric patients who favorthe side lying position and have flaccid breast experience skindeterioration of the breast due to one breast resting on the other. Thiswould be prevented with the breast saver comfort band in place,minimizing tissue injury/deterioration as well as reducing the incidenceof nosocomial infections due to open skin ulcerations. This preventativepractice will reduce medical care required such as use of antibioticointments or medicated gauzes to prevent any open skin from receivingpathogenic bacteria. The band may also be used to absorb serous orsanguineous drainage when used post-operatively with breast proceduressuch as in medial breast lumpectomy. The band's thickness measures only2-4 mm's, it is not bulky or have metal or plastic parts therebyreducing the risk of creating new pressure points on fragile skin ordependent area. Unlike traditional brassieres the comfort band is usedat night for lateral breast support.

In women's personal care the band will absorb uncomfortable perspirationfrom in between the breast while in the side lying position as wellreduce or prevent medial breast wrinkling in mature women caused byextended periods of lateral breast shifting. This wrinkling preventativemeasure may be used in conjunction with topical cosmetic creams orlotions.

Other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, all of which form a part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the present invention can be obtained byreference to a preferred embodiment set forth in the illustrations ofthe accompanying drawings. Although the illustrated embodiment is merelyexemplary of systems for carrying out the present invention, both theorganization and method of operation of the invention, in general,together with further objectives and advantages thereof, may be moreeasily understood by reference to the drawings and the followingdescription. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of thisinvention, which is set forth with particularity in the claims asappended or as subsequently amended, but merely to clarify and exemplifythe invention.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference isnow made to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the solid band of the comfort bandbefore it is applied to the patient.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the solid band as it would be applied tothe patient and the body engaging surface.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the Fenestrated band of the inventionbefore it is applied to the patient.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the Fenestrated band as it would beapplied to the patient and the body engaging surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As required, a detailed illustrative embodiment of the present inventionis disclosed herein. However, techniques, systems and operatingstructures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in awide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite differentfrom those in the disclosed embodiment. Consequently, the specificstructural and functional details disclosed herein are merelyrepresentative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the bestembodiment for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for theclaims herein which define the scope of the present invention. Thefollowing presents a detailed description of a preferred embodiment (aswell as some alternative embodiments) of the present invention.

A length of stretchable woven material capable of longitudinal andtransverse stretching is set flat wherein in its right sided longesthalf a suitable fastening means of nap pile patch is secured. Acorresponding hook strip component is secured on the left adjacent half.A semi-cylindrical sponge like material with its flat surface up to theback of the nap pile fastening means is placed between the material andis enclosed by seams at its right and left side with permanent seams tothe bottom length and the left side of the band. The band is then donnedby placing the cylindrical surface over the sternum, extending andstretching the band to accommodate the circumference of the chest and inoverlapping relationship secured with its fastener in the front of thechest onto the flat surface of the semi-cylindrical component. The bandis of one piece construction which is easily applied to the patientwhile in bed from either right or left orientation.

The stretchable and adaptable band or garment of the invention comprisesof a relatively wide solid body band 1, FIGS. 1 & 2 which encircles thechest and accommodates breast coverage or breast exposure achieved witha Fenestrated band 1, FIGS. 3 & 4. The band end is connected to aspace-occupying semi-cylindrical sponge-like material 2, FIGS. 1, 2, 3 &4 which serves as a bolster for the breast.

In use, the cylindrical shaped surface at one end 3, FIGS. 1, 2, 3 & 4is centrally placed over the sternum, the connecting band 1, FIGS. 1, 2,3, & 4 is then wrapped under the arms around the chest and preferablysecured in the front in overlapping relationship with a VELCRO™ (orsimilar hook and loop fastener) type fastener which provides for sizeadjustments.

The drawings depict the flat surface of the semi-cylindrical bolster ashaving a patch of material 4, FIGS. 1 & 3 comprising of multiplelaterally spaced short strips of textile pile material wherein aplurality of hook strips 4, FIGS. 2 & 4 at the distal end and opposingside of the band is suitably attached to the outer pile material on thebolster when encircled around the body and fastened in the front.

As preferred, the strips of pile material is secured by secure andsuitable stitching to the flat surface of the bolster which will receivethe hook strips. Hook strips may be of a type such as is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 2,717,437, issued Sep. 13, 1955, wherein the hook strip isconstructed with tiny fiber hook elements extending outwardly from oneside of a backing material which will become embedded and adhere to thesoft pile material when pressed against.

Because the fastening means is described and fully disclosed in saidU.S. Pat. No. 2,717,437, a further description thereof is deemedunnecessary. In fact, it is to be understood that other fasteningdevices may be employed without departing from the invention. This alsoapplies to the semi-cylindrical bolster which can be replaced by anyother shape which accomplishes the means of support as a bolster andbreast separator.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a stretchable and adaptable body conformingknit material of approximately 58 cm long by 20 cm wide of a material islaid out to its fullest dimensions which when folded in half lengthwisewill yield a panel A, and panel B. With this orientation in mind, reopenit to its fullest dimensions.

Sew a permanent and secure patch of nap pile material of approximately 8cm long by 5 cm wide with its length to the right edge of panel A, nextmaintaining original orientation sew a 8 cm by 5 cm patch of hook stripsto the left edge of panel B. Fastening means have now been secured sothat when the band is constructed and is encircled about the chest itwill be in overlapping relationship to the pile material over the flatsurface of panel A. Next flip panel A so that panel A now faces panel Band is inside out. Leaving a 5 mm free edge on top sew a permanent seamto the right edge of panels A and B together which will create a rightangle pocket. By means of a scissor obtain a sponge-like material, cutand shape the semi-cylindrical bolster to the following dimension, flatwall surface 6.5 cm wide, height 9 cm, cylindrical depth dimension of12.2 cm round from its flat wall surface so that it yields a totalcircumference of 18.7 cm. At its top and bottom base surfaces the abovedimensions should yield a 4.8 cm wide flat surface from its 6.5 cm wall.Next, enclose and position the semi-cylindrical bolster to the extremeright between panel A and B with its flat surface facing panel A whilethe semi-cylindrical bolster faces panel B. Invert 5 mm of bottom edgesof panel A and B and sew the length of the band leaving a 5 mm free edgeto the left of the band. Sew a permanent and secure seam to the left ofthe semi-cylindrical bolster, securing it to its compartment.

Invert the free 5 mm left edges of panels A and B and sew permanentseams. The band is now fully constructed and ready to apply by placingthe cylindrical surface of panel B over the sternum, between the breastand encircling the band around the back and chest so that the free endof the band with the hook strips may be fastened over the nap pilematerial of panel A.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a stretchable and adaptable body conformingknit material of approximately 60 cm long by 20 cm wide of a material islaid out to its fullest dimensions which when folded in half lengthwisewill yield a panel A, and panel B. With this orientation in mind, reopenit to its fullest dimensions.

Sew a permanent and secure patch of nap pile material of approximately 8cm long by 5 cm wide with its length to the right edge of panel A, nextmaintaining original orientation sew a 8 cm by 5 cm patch of hook stripsto the left edge of panel B. Fastening means have now been secured sothat when the band is constructed and is encircled about the chest itwill be in overlapping relationship to the pile materials over the flatsurface of panel A. Next flip panel A so that panel A now faces panel Band is inside out. Leaving a 5 mm free edge on top sew a permanent seamto the right edge of panels A and B together which will create a rightangle pocket. By means of a scissor obtain a sponge-like material,cutand shape the semi-cylindrical bolster to the following dimension, flatwall surface 6.5 cm wide, height 9 cm, cylindrical depth dimension of12.2 cm round from its flat wall surface so that it yields a totalcircumference of 18.7 cm. At its top and bottom base surfaces the abovedimensions should yield a 4.8 cm wide flat surface from its 6.5 cm wall.Next, enclose and position the semi-cylindrical bolster to the extremeright between panel A and B with its flat surface facing panel A whilethe semi-cylindrical bolster faces panel B. Invert 5 mm of bottom edgesof panel A and B and sew the length of the band leaving a 5 mm free edgeto the left of the band. Sew a permanent and secure seam to the leftborder of the semi-cylindrical bolster, securing it to its compartment.Measure approximately 2 cm from this last seam, mark it. Next measureout and mark an ellipses measuring 11 cm long by 7 cm tall from 1.5 cmfrom the top and bottom edges so that its mid axis and highest point isat 90 degrees. Evenly cut fenestrations, invert its double edgesapproximately 2 mm's and seam edges of fenestration closed. From theleft edge side of this fenestrations measure 24.5 cm on the band nextmeasure out and cut the same dimensions of the first fenestration. Seamfenestrations edges closed together as before. Fenestrations arecomplete. Invert the free 5 mm left edges of panels A and B and sewtogether with permanent seams. The band is now fully constructed andready to apply by placing the cylindrical surface of panel B over thesternum, between the breast and encircling the band around the back andchest so that the free end of the band with the hook strips may befastened over the nap pile material of panel A.

While the present invention has been described with reference to one ormore preferred embodiments, such embodiments are merely exemplary andare not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumerationof all aspects of the invention. The scope of the invention, therefore,shall be defined solely by the following claims. Further, it will beapparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be madein such details without departing from the spirit and the principles ofthe invention. It should be appreciated that the present invention iscapable of being embodied in other forms without departing from itsessential characteristics.

What is claimed is:
 1. A chest band for use for comfort and breaststabilization from lateral gravitational breast shifting while the userlays in the right or left lateral position comprising: a stretchable andadaptable body strip disposed to encircle the body; first and secondsections of the length of said body strip; wherein said first sectionfurther comprises a semi-cylindrical component of a sponge-like materialat one end and a nap material patch on its outer surface with acylindrical side placed over the sternum, between the breast; andwherein said second section comprises a means for connecting an end ofsaid body strip together in the form of a loop to encircle a user'sbody; and wherein said chest band further comprises at least onefenestration to enable breast exposure.
 2. A chest band according toclaim 1 wherein said fenestrations are stretchable to accommodatebreasts of various sizes.